Packing retainer for journal boxes on railway cars



Dec. 27, 1949 o. E. WILSON ET AL 2,492,724

PACKING RETAINER FOR JOURNAL BOXES ON RAILWAY CARS Filed April 2, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l 0275 E 7&[60/2 lVz'i/z'am H. SaZe Dec. 27, 1949 o. E. WILSON ET AL PACKING RETAINER FOR JOURNAL BOXES ON RAILWAY CARS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 2, 1947 Patented Dec. 27, 1949 PACKING RETAINER FOR JOURNAL BOXES ON RAILWAY CARS Otto E. Wilson, Peru, Ind., and William H. Sale,

Sanston, Va., assignors to T-Z Railway Equipment 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 2, 1947, Serial No. 738,860

Claims.

The invention relates to packing retainers for journal boxes on railway cars.

The several objects of the invention are to provide a packing-retainer which: is adapted to efilciently confine the lubricant-saturated packing in the lower portion of the box under the journal and against outward rotation by the journal and movement .toward the open end of the box; is adapted to provide a sturdy structure built up of substantially flat strips of metal; includes vertically rigid sections which are collapsibly connected for the insertion and removal of the retainer; is adapted to be firmly supported in its operative position in the journal box; includes parts adjustably connected for use of the retainer in journal boxes of different sizes, which includes side-bars provided with non-abrasive strips for preventing metal-to-metal contact with the journal; and other objects which will more fully appear from the detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth, and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the packing-retainer in its operative position in a journal box the latter being shown in section. 1 Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 22 of Fig; 1. Fig. 3. is a section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the packing-retainer.

- Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified packing-retainer bar.

Fig.6 is a side elevation of the bar shown in Fig. 5.1

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 'l'l of Fig. 5.

The improved packing-retainer is exemplified in a journal box of standard construction. The journal box comprises a body provided at one end with the usual opening II for access to the interior ofthe box, and a. cover l2 for said opening which is hinged at I3, to the top of the box. Journal l5 of an axle l6 extends throughthe innerend. ofthe box 'and terminates near the outer end of the box with the usual flange IT. A fbrass or hearing block 18 engages the upper portion of the journal l5 and the usual wedge 19. engaging the top wall of the box body [0, holds bearing block l8 in the box, as well under-; stood in the art. A mass 20 of packing, usually cotton waste, is placed in the lower portion of the box under the journal and is kept saturated with lubricant for carrying lubricant to the rotating journal l5 for lubricating the surface which enswat s o I The improved packing-retainer comprises a support adjacent the end of the box, which is adapted to confine the packing to the under side of the journal and to prevent it working to the opening II, and bars which are secured to the support, and extend longitudinally and at the sides of the journal, for preventing the packing from being carried around with the journal l0 and the bearing 18. This support comprises a pair of arcurate sections 22 and 23 formed of sheet or plate metal, which extend across the curved bottom of the box, under the journal l5 adjacent its front end. The plane of the sheet metal of sections 22 and 23 is vertical, to render-them rigid. The inner or lower ends of sections 22, 23, are connected together by a bolt 24, which extends through elongated slots 25 and 25 in said members and'is adapted to rigidly lock the sections together when the retainer is correctly positioned in the box. This bolt-and-slot connection, when the bolt is loosened, permits relative pivotal movement of the sections 22 and 23 for collapsing them for insertion and removal of the retainer through opening H in the box, and also permits relative sliding movement between said sections for their adjustment for use in journal boxes of different sizes. The sections 22 and 23 are provided with embossed portions 28, for stif-' fening purposes, and with feet or extensions'29, which are adapted to engage and, rest on the curved lower portion of the box body. Resilient strips 30 of fiat metal, have their lower ends secured, for example, by rivets 43, to sections 22 and 23, respectively, are bowed as at 33 for vertical resiliency, and are provided at their upper ends with abutment-forming bends 34 which are adapted to seat against the usual lugs 35 which are used for holding the wedge I9 in the box, and the inside of the top wall of the box body adjacent the door. Strips 30 are also provided with outward extensions 36 below lugs 35, for depressing the bends to release them from lugs 35. Strips 30, when seated against lugs 35 and the top of the box, exert downward pressure on the vertically rigid sections 22 and 23, for causing the feet 29 to firmly engage the curved bottom of the box body and securing the support in its assigned position in the box. The sections 22, 23, when secured together, form a vertically U-shaped, rigid support which confines the packing under the journal and against outward movement.

of the bars 38, comprises a strip 40 of suitable fibrous or non-abrasive material, such as fiberboard, which is adapted to contact the rotating journal without scarring it. The strip 40 is secured between an angle strip 4! which may be integrally formed with one of sections 22 and 23, and a fiahstrip fllwhiehrhas itsoutertendisecmred to a section 'ZZ, J3. Rivets 43 extend through the horizontal flanges of angle strips 4| and strips 40 and 42, and secure them together.

The operation of the improved. retainer wilL be as follows: To insert the retainerinLtheJ ournal box, bolt 24 which connects the sections 22 and" 23, will be loosened and the upperfends of said. sections and the resilient strips 3ll will then beswung together. The resilient strips -3'D"w'i1l*be flexed and collapsed sufiiciently- :to ,permit the entire retainer to pass inwardly through the opening II, the outline of which is indicated by the dotted line H The bars 38 will be placed oventhepacking atthe-sides of thejournal. Sec- Mons-722, 23-, willxbeiplaced .on the-bottom: f the box in front =ofthe packing, and-the abutmen'ts 34' of resilient strips -38, will be-sprung against the lugs- 35; Theieet ES-bf'members 22 an'di23 will then :be seated :on the bottom rof the box body- .andwthearesilient strips -30-will-be secured in the seats formed aat the:-shouldersn35 and thev top wall-aof the box. thus seated, the strips 30 "will .exert downward pressure :on ithe stifi-sectionsfiZ and-23 's0 their feet :29 'will'ifirm'ly engage-the: bottom of the box bod-yeand bars 38 will -overliethe packingat the "sides of the. "jOlllJ- nal. After :theretainer has been :inserted :in the box,. the:secti'ons fl-2,. 23', will be 'adfjustediito position the side-bars 38: :in the dBSiI-Bd-il3E13;ti0n to the journal. The slot-and-zbolt cconn'ection xb'e tweenlmembers 22 and 2:3, permits adjustment of 'thecbars-BB tonand from each other, for. :accurately positioning them at. :the sides of: :the. journal and ,lio-r use in journal boxes of idifierent sizes-1 After sections 22iand1'23 and bars,..have' beenzset in their desired :operativeeposition, the bolt 24' will be "tightenedLan'd- 'secure them in rigidly locked relation 'for' retaining: the :pack ing. When the retainerhas been :placedsinthe box;..side bars 6% will overlie and press downthez-packing atzthe ssideseof fthejournabami prevent it from being carried to the bearingflsurfaces between the journal elillzzandr'the-bearing' member t8. Sec'tionseZZ and 26 will rconfme the' packing; against jonward 1 displacement. rtowandTthei open ing H'in =.the:..box. 'In 'thi'sumanner, the packing will be scontfi'ned to 'the lower" portion of the journal. The-inner edges of the: fiber strips 40- will be contiguous-and may be set in 'close relation .to the: periphery of :thejournal, for effectiuely'rpreventing :any of the packing from being carried. around to the bearing surfaces between the ljournal and bearing EB; and without-marrii-ig the journal in event of side-swing of'the journal in ithe box- The edges of -stripfi| will -not'produ'ce any abrasive e'fiect on the-periphery o-f the journail. When -it"is desired =to=-remove or replace the packing from-the'box, the-"resilient strips willbe "depressed at the'extensions 255" so that abutments =34 will clear "lugs 35, bolt -24- =will be loosened; "and sections'ZZ and '23 andstrips will bo -collapsed so that the entire retainer can be removed through theopening H. The support 22, 23, extends --'to' the bottom of the box and under the journalimmediately adj acent its i -rent end flange: and serves to keepthe" packing out of the'front portion of the box so that any free lubricant-will be vi'sible tonne-inspectors.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 5-7, the side bars 40* for retaining the packing at the sides of the journal, are formed of an extension 44 on the sections 22, 23, and an integral underfolded strip 45. The extension 44 terminates outwardly of the strip 45, so there is but WSilIgl' thickness of metal'along'thel-edge which is adjacent the journal. Thisbonstruct'mn provides fiat rigid surfaces for efficiently holding down the packing. A corner bracket 46, resilient .strips 311, and. these bars, are secured together by rivet'si fl.

The invention exemplifies a packing-retainer for journal boxes which comprises a support formed mainly of plate or sheet metal to provide a sturdy construction. The invention also exemplifieslaretainer-with pivotally connected supporting sections which can be locked together, each carrying a packing-retainer side bar, the sections being adapted to be collapsed for insertion: and removal of the: retainer through the opening ll. The invention sa'lso' exemplifies a retainertwhiclri'inciudes' vertically" stiff supporting sections and flat. resilierna strips for: pressing the said members. downwardly :againstthe bottom :of. the box body for firmly retaining the retainer in :its. assigned position .in "the journal box. invention alsorexemplifi'es :a retainer composed .of sections which are adjustably rconn'ectedsfior. use-in journal 'boxes of -.different sites. Thecimzentionualso exemplifies side barsrfor'en'e taining the packinggtzwhich include sideebarswvith non-abrasive strips which willsnot aabrad runner thet'peripheral surface of thejournabwhencontact occurs.

The invention is .not to be .rmdersto'odasxlinnted to the" details described, since these may bermo'da ified within. the? scope 01: ".the appended claims without departing rfrom the :spirit orf-sc'ope-nf the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what we :dlaimas new and desire to? secure by' Letters Patentlisif 1. The combination with a journal box for r-ailway-'cars and adournalztherein, of a packingretaineri comprisin'gz. a vertically rig-id support extending acrossllthe-ilower portion of 'thebox and: under rthe' journal. and provided with means for engaging? the bottom of the box, resilient strips secured on the support, :ior releasably engaging the top of the box and pressing the support againsttheibottomofthebox, and packing-retainer bars rigidly secured to saiilssuppont andextending along: the iside's ofJ-the: journal;v

2. The combination with a journal box ion railway "cars, includinga journal, of.- -a' packingreta-in'er comprising: a vertically rigid. support extending around the: lower portion of :the box and under the journaL-including a'd justably connected :sec'tions provided --.with means for engaging the bottom of the box; means rorloclring the sections together', resilient strips secured on the sections, for releasably engaging the top of the box and pressing the support against the bottom'o'f the box, and substantially rigid packing-retai'ner bars secured *tosaid sections andextending along the sides of the journal.

3 -.'The combination with a journal box for sections and extending along the sides of the journal.

4. The combination with a journal box for railway cars, including a journal, of a packingretainer comprising: a vertically rigid support extending around the lower portion of the box, including adjustably connected arcuate sections of sheet metal having embossed portions and provided with means for engaging the bottom of the box, resilient strips secured on the sections, for releasably engaging the top of the box and pressing the support against the bottom of the box, and packing-retainer bars rigidly secured to said sections and extending along the sides of the journal.

5. The combination with a journal box for railway cars and a journal therein, of a packing-retainer comprising: a support including pivotally connected sections, means for removably holding the sections in position in the box, packing-retainer bars of metal secured to said sections at the sides of the journal and provided with strips of non-abrasive material for extending along the sides of the journal, and means for locking the sections together in difierent positions to vary the spacing between the strips.

OTTO E. WILSON.

WILLIAM H. SALE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,460,383 Kilgour July 3, 1923 2,066,593 Walker Jan. 5, 1937 2,357,233 Sohaney Aug. 29, 1944 

